Order of Martinists

One of the numerous Masonic rites which made its appearance in France about the middle of the last century. It is also called the Rite of Martinism. It appeared at Lyons in 1767, with ten degrees, fathered by Louis Claude de St. Martin, a disciple of Martinez Paschalis. The Order was popular for a time, and had spread into Germany and Russia, where it had a brief career.